BACKGROUNDThis application is being filed as a Continuation In Part of application Ser. No. 12/069,405 filed on Feb. 11, 2008 pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b)(2).
The present invention relates to systems and methods of distribution, specifically to systems and methods of selectively distributing media content to a consumer and preventing the unauthorized sharing of the media content.
It is increasingly becoming more and more difficult for artists in the performing entertainment industry to get the opportunity to work with and sign with producers and label companies. This phenomenon is due largely in part by the fact that musical and video content is indiscriminately and illegally exchanged at little to no cost via the Internet or through other illegal pirating methods of sharing artists work. Such illegal methods of sharing artistic work have caused a dramatic drop in the sales of music and videos in the traditional Compact Disk (CD) and Digital Video Disk (DVD) formats.
As a result of the decline in sales of CD's and DVD's, the entertainment industry has been forced to reduce its workforce; the economic impact has been felt in all levels of the industry, ranging from the artists themselves to the executives of the record labels and album manufactures. As a result of such a decline in sales, the entertainment industry has found itself in a position where there is a surplus of unsold CD's and DVD's numbering in the millions of units.
As technology advances, it is becoming apparent that one of the contributing factors towards the decline of sales of the traditional CD and DVD format is that these technologies are becoming obsolete. This sentiment is especially prominent among the younger consuming public (ages 15-30), a population that has historically accounted for a disproportionately large percentage of sales of music and video related items.
If the entertainment industry wishes to regain its place as one of the more profitable sectors of the economy, the industry must eliminate the negative sentiment towards the CD and DVD format and the illegal sharing of artistic work.
In order to address these problems, the inventor invented the present invention, specifically a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content. The present invention is a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content, the system comprising essentially of a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, a network and a user interface system. The method comprises essentially of providing a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, distributing the device to retail outlets, instructing a user to contact a network that is in electronic communication with the USB-type storage device, selectively registering the media content on the network, activating the USB-type storage device, displaying the activated media content to the consumer on a display device associated with the user interface system, and providing a means to upload media content onto the USB-type storage device in the event the media content becomes corrupted or erased.
The present invention prevents the unauthorized sharing of media content with others, as only a registered user with an activation code can access the media content. The activation code is administered pursuant to a predetermined set of rules that limits the access of the media content to one user with certain identifying credentials; as such only the user with the specified set of credentials can access the media content, thereby preventing the media content from being shared with others. The identifying credentials might be specific to the user, i.e. user's date of birth, social security number, etc. or they might be specific to the user interface system, i.e. the IP address of the user's computer, etc.
Should the media content loaded onto the USB-type device become corrupted or erased, the user can log onto a network and upload the corrupted or erased media content by providing the user's identifying credentials.
An objective of the present invention, is to provide a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content in a convenient and user friendly format.
Another objective of the present invention, is to provide a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers in a manner that prevents the unauthorized sharing of the media content.
Another objective of the present invention, is to provide a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content in a manner that would allow the consumer to easily replace the media content should it become corrupted or erased.
Yet a further objective of the present invention, is to provide a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content that is cost effective to produce and maintain.
For the foregoing reasons there exists a need for a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content whereby the system comprises essentially of a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, a network and a user interface system and the method comprises essentially of providing a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, distributing the device to retail outlets, instructing a user to contact a network that is in electronic communication with the USB-type storage device, selectively registering the media content on the network, activating the USB-type storage device, displaying the activated media content to the consumer on a display device associated with the user interface system, and providing a means to upload media content onto the USB-type storage device in the event the media content becomes corrupted or erased.
SUMMARYThe present invention is a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content, the system comprising essentially of a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, a network and a user interface system. The method comprises essentially of providing a USB-type storage device loaded with media content, distributing the device to retail outlets, instructing a user to contact a network that is in electronic communication with the USB-type storage device, selectively registering the media content on the network, activating the USB-type storage device, displaying the activated media content to the consumer on a display device associated with the user interface system, and providing a means to upload media content onto the USB-type storage device in the event the media content becomes corrupted or erased.
The present invention prevents the unauthorized sharing of media content with others, as only a registered user with an activation code can access the media content. The activation code is administered pursuant to a predetermined set of rules that limits the access of the media content to one user with certain identifying credentials; as such only the user with the specified set of credentials can access the media content, thereby preventing the media content from being shared with others. The identifying credentials might be specific to the user, i.e. user's date of birth, social security number, etc. or they might be specific to the user interface system, i.e. the IP address of the user's computer, etc. Should the media content loaded onto the USB-type device become corrupted or erased, the user can log onto a network and upload the corrupted or erased media content by providing the user's identifying credentials.
DRAWINGSThese and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and drawings where:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the method for selectively distributing media content to a consumer; and
FIG. 2 illustrates the process of selectively distributing media content to a consumer.
DESCRIPTIONAs shown inFIGS. 1-2, a system and method for selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content. The system comprises essentially of a USB-type storage device10, anetwork20 and auser interface system30. The method comprises essential of providing a USB-type storage device10 loaded withmedia content240, distributing the USB-type storage device10 loaded withmedia content240 to a retail outlet for retail sale, instructing a user to contact thenetwork20 to register themedia content240, selectively registering themedia content240 on thenetwork20, activating the USB-type storage device10, releasing theactivated media content240 to the user via a display device associated with auser interface system30, and providing a means to uploadmedia content240 onto the USB-type storage device10 in the event themedia content240 becomes corrupted or erased.
The USB-type storage device10 comprises a means for receiving and processing information from a network, and a means for communicating with auser interface system30. The means for receiving and processing information might include wireless communication technologies, or other receiving and processing means known in the art. The information stored on USB-type storage device10 includes media content that might include a full album of a musical artist's recordings in a digital format, a compilation of multiple full albums of a musical artist's recordings in a digital format, a single musical piece or a promotional compilation of musical pieces in a digital format, a ringtone in a digital format, a movie in a digital format, a compilation of movies in a digital format, a television series in a digital format, a compilation of television series in a digital format, or any combination thereof.
The essential features of thenetwork20 include a means for allowing multiple users to communicate electronically or otherwise with each other and providing a means for storing and accessing information to and from a device other than the user'suser interface system30 for selectively distributingmedia content240 to a consumer and preventing the unauthorized sharing ofmedia content240. Thenetwork20 comprises at least one server containing information directly related to the artist of themedia content240 and/or themedia content240 itself.
Theuser interface system30 might include a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, or other interface system capable of communicating electronically or otherwise with anetwork20 for selectively distributingmedia content240 to a consumer and preventing the unauthorized sharing ofmedia content240.
As shown atstep110,media content240 is loaded onto the USB-type storage device10. Themedia content240 might include a full album of a musical artist in a digital format, a compilation of multiple full albums of a musical artist in a digital format, a single musical piece or a promotional compilation of musical pieces in a digital format, a ringtone in a digital format, a movie in a digital format, a compilation of movies in a digital format, a television series in a digital format, a compilation of television series in a digital format, or any combination thereof. Each item ofmedia content240 has a predetermined identifier associated with it; the identifier might be an alphanumeric code.
As showninstep112, the USB-type storage device10, loaded withmedia content240 is distributed to retail outlets for retail sale.
As shown instep114 the user is instructed to contact thenetwork20 to register themedia content240. The user might be instructed to contact thenetwork20, via a point of sale terminal at the retail outlet, via a telephone communication, or through an internet connection.
As shown instep116, the user must register themedia content240 onto thenetwork20. Registration is based on the identifier associated with themedia content240, the consumer is provided a user specific credentials that might be in the form of a login and password after successful registration. The login and password might be a combination of alphanumeric characters.
As shown instep118, the user must activate the USB-type storage device10 onto thenetwork20. Theactivation step118 includes a means for providing an activation code unique to the USB-type storage device10. The means for providing the activation code include the use of a terminal, telephone contact number or email contact for obtaining the unique activation code. The activation code is administered pursuant to a set of predetermined rules; including a proper verification of the user's credentials, proof of purchase of the device, and/or subscription to a predetermined service. The predetermined set of rules restricts access to themedia content240 only to the user with the appropriate predetermined credentials. The activation code might be a combination of alphanumeric characters.
As shown instep120, themedia content240 loaded onto the USB-type storage device10 is released to a user via a display device associated with theuser interface system30, after a valid login, password and activation code has been provided for themedia content240.
As shown instep122, should themedia content240 on the USB-type storage device10 become corrupted or erased, themedia content240 can be uploaded from thenetwork20 only after the user provides a valid login, password, and activation code for themedia content240.
As shown instep124, the user is granted access to a server containing information directly related to the artist of themedia content240 and/or themedia content240 itself upon successful activation of the USB-type storage device10. The information might include the artist's website, chat rooms, discussion forums, email addresses, promotional material, and/or list of tour dates.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content in a convenient and user friendly format.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method of selectively distributing media content to corners in a manner that prevents the unauthorized sharing of the media content.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content in a manner that would allow the consumer to easily replace the media content should it become corrupted or erased.
Yet a further advantage of the present invention, is that it provides a system and method of selectively distributing media content to consumers and preventing the unauthorized sharing of media content that is cost effective to produce and maintain.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and the scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.